catholicon

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists

Etymology

Late Middle English, via Medieval Latin from Ancient Greek καθολικόν (katholikón, “that which is universal”), the neuter substantive form of καθολικός (katholikós).

In classic literature

II. in parchemyn, a greate booke of gramer, with the Siege of Troy borded, a greate booke called Catholicon borded, and a good new bounden fair little book compiled of Assises." — Shakespeare's family, C. C. (Charlotte Carmichael) Stopes
At any rate, this same humor has something, there is no telling what, of beneficence in it, it is such a catholicon and charm--nearly all men agreeing in relishing it, though they may agree in little else--and in its way it undeniably does such a deal of familiar good in the world, that no wonder it is almost a proverb, that a man of humor, a man capable of a good loud laugh--seem how he may in other things--can hardly be a heartless scamp." — The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade, Herman Melville

Synonyms

panacea, nostrum, cure-all

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catholicon

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Etymology

In classic literature

Synonyms

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

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